Veteran Private Equity and Energy Leader Highlights the Human Impact of Power Access and Affordability
LONDON, UK AND ACCRA, GH / ACCESS Newswire / September 15, 2025 / Leslie Nelson, private equity and energy executive with more than 25 years of global business experience, is urging greater awareness and support for Africa's energy transition. Drawing on his decades of work across finance, infrastructure, and energy, Nelson is calling for solutions that focus not just on technology, but on people.
"The future of energy in Africa is not about copying the West. It's about building systems that fit the realities of the continent - reliable power, affordable solutions, and cleaner technologies," said Nelson.
A Crisis That Demands Attention
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa - nearly half the population - still live without access to electricity. Energy poverty limits education, healthcare, and economic development. Businesses across Africa lose an estimated $28 billion each year due to unreliable power supply.
Nelson has seen these challenges firsthand. As CEO for GE Africa's $1 billion power business and later Managing Director for New Fortress Energy in Africa, he oversaw projects bringing investment and infrastructure into underserved regions. Today, through his Africa-focused energy transition platform, Nelson continues this work, with a mission to decarbonize while making energy accessible.
"When a hospital cannot run equipment, or when a student cannot study at night, that is not just an energy problem-it is a human problem," Nelson explained.
Building Capacity Through People and Partnerships
In addition to his executive work, Nelson has made personal commitments to education and leadership development. Through the Village of Hope Orphanage, he funds the university tuition of 15 students, providing them with laptops and career mentoring. "They will graduate in 2026. My hope is that they will not only find jobs, but also become leaders in their communities and understand that they HAVE to give back" Nelson said.
He believes that partnerships between governments, investors, and local communities will be the driving force of progress. "You need to understand both the investor in New York and the engineer in Lagos or Accra. Only then can you close the gap between capital and impact," Nelson added.
A Call to Action
Nelson stresses that solving Africa's energy challenges is not only the job of governments and corporations. Individuals can play a role too - whether through supporting non-profits, investing responsibly, or raising awareness about the scale of energy poverty.
"The leaders who will succeed are the ones who can adapt (to applications such as AI), who can cross boundaries, and who never forget where they started," said Nelson. "We can all do something - whether that's donating to organizations that support education, participating in the energy transition journey of the continent and mentoring young talent."
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Leslie Nelson
Leslie Nelson is a private equity and energy executive with over 25 years of global business experience, including 15 years in Africa. He has held senior roles at General Electric and New Fortress Energy, Senior Advisor to Africa's largest Investment Management Company and is the founder of an Africa-focused energy transition platform. He serves as a Board Director for multiple companies ranging from Pension Funds to Oil and Gas Services companies and remains committed to mentoring the next generation of African leaders.
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SOURCE: Leslie Nelson
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